Sheffield Sharks captain inspires South Yorkshire school pupils

Sheffield Sharks Captain Mike Tuck has a new goal - to encourage local school children to walk tall and follow their dreams.

Published:06:00Saturday 09 May 2015

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Sheffield Sharks Captain Mike Tuck has a new goal - to encourage local school children to follow their dreams.

The Canadian player, who joined the city’s basketball team in 2009 and became captain three years ago, is staging a programme of inspirational talks in schools across South Yorkshire.

He visited Bentley’s New Village Primary School last month and will be delivering his ‘I Have A Dream’ talks to youngsters at Wadsworth Primary, Doncaster, and Milefield Primary, Barnsley, over the summer.

The law firm behind the initiative is keen to hear from other schools who would like to get involved.

Wosskow Brown, which has three offices in Sheffield and one in Barnsley, set up a charitable foundation in 2014 to support grassroots sport, business growth, charities and social enterprises.

The firm began sponsoring the Sharks in 2014.

“The focus is on raising aspirations, working hard and pursuing goals while also explaining the importance of being healthy and active,” said Mike.

“When I was a kid we never had anybody coming into our school and giving us advice.

“It’s important young people have a dream, believe in themselves and know that it is not about where you came from, it is where you are going - that’s the lesson I learned.”

“My dream became to net an athletic scholarship in the States. A lot of American schools wouldn’t consider me because Canadian kids didn’t have a reputation for being potential basketball stars. I had to break that mould and finally I was offered an athletic scholarship.”

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